Written by Bryan Samuel, Rafachrist Nehemia, and Hanifa Putri
External Events Division FPCI Chapter UI Board of 2024
On 10th of June 2024, members of FPCI Chapter Universitas Indonesia visited the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Jakarta for the Tea Time with Ambassador (TTWA) #1 2024 event.
About Tea Time with Ambassador #1 2024
FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador #1 2024 is a work program of the External Events division of FPCI Chapter UI Board of 2024 which allows FPCI Chapter UI members to meet official ambassadors from various countries at their embassy offices. This event offers the opportunity to discuss the ambassadors’ respective country’s foreign policy in dealing with strategic issues and their bilateral relation with the Republic of Indonesia.
The excitement of face-to-face meetings with eminent representatives at the highest political levels makes FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador #1 2024 one of the most anticipated programs of FPCI Chapter UI Board of 2024.
Throughout the time, FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador has invited more than eight honorary ambassadors from various renowned countries. This year, FPCI Chapter UI had the privilege to have the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Indonesia as the speaker for Tea Time with Ambassador #1 2024.
What happened at TTWA #1 2024?
FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador #1 2024 visited the Embassy of Egypt and had a themed discussion about “Egypt’s Key Role in Regional Security: A Pillar of Global Economic Stability.” Egypt’s long history with Indonesia, added with several pressing issues in the Middle East (such as the Palestine-Israel tension and the Suez Canal problem), have inspired this year’s FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador to raise this important topic.
In order to understand this theme further, FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador #1 2024 invited H.E. Yasser Hassan Farag Elshemy as the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Indonesia to discuss Egypt-Indonesia cooperation and how the two countries can explore broader areas of possible cooperation.
What insights did the discussion yield?
The speaker in FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador #1 2024 was H.E. Yasser Hassan Farag Elshemy, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Indonesia. The discussion was moderated by Hafizd Akbar Priambodo as the former Vice President on Research and Development of FPCI Chapter UI Board of 2024 on the basis of the following talking points:
History of Indonesia and Egypt’s Partnership
“Egypt-Indonesia relations go back centuries. Indonesian students have been studying in Egypt from 200–300 years ago,” said H.E. Yasser Hassan Farag Elshemy. He also emphasized how Egypt has acknowledged Indonesia’s independence since 77 years ago despite just enjoying its official independence 72 years ago.
“Our (Egypt and Indonesia) interaction is based on religion, politics, and social aspects,” he added. These factors contribute to the fact that Indonesia and Egypt are very much intertwined and have been mutually benefiting from this relationship.
Moreover, H.E. Yasser Hassan Farag Elshemy elaborates on Egypt’s constant support for Indonesia. “Egypt stands with Indonesia: Firstly through supporting Indonesia’s independence, and now through supporting Indonesia’s development,” he added.
The realization of this partnership is evident from the fact that Indonesia and Egypt have invested a lot in their partnerships in education. “We are hosting about 15,000 Indonesian students in Cairo. We see them as brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters,” he said.
In addition to that, he also added, “Just a while ago I was talking about the continuation of scholarships and other education-related partnerships. Before, the scholarships were focused on religious education, but now we would like to extend our partnerships to other educational fields such as medicine, engineering, and economy.”
The Current Progress of Egypt’s Collaboration with Indonesia and the ASEAN
“In the field of education, we’re currently working on some MoUs to connect Indonesian and Egyptian universities. Additionally, we also plan to enhance the promotion of Bahasa Indonesia learning in Cairo,” His Excellency stated.
As middle income countries, Egypt and Indonesia (as well as other ASEAN members) share some common agendas and ambitions.
“Egypt is a Middle East country that has the most embassies in ASEAN. Currently, we have a friendship treaty with ASEAN, and we plan to keep on promoting this relationship,” he mentioned. He went on to emphasize that Cairo would keep on working to find more common ground between Egypt and ASEAN in order to promote this relationship more comprehensively.
Egypt’s Central Role of Peacekeeping in the Middle East
First of all, His Excellency acknowledged the fact that this issue of Palestine and Israel has such a long history and is indeed very complex. His Excellency also realizes how Egypt plays a key role in this issue.
He went on to elaborate how a comprehensive solution must be given in order to address this issue. “An immediate ceasefire, release of hostages, and a Palestinian state must be acknowledged and functioned by the UN Security Council. The whole world must now realize that a Palestinian state must exist; including those countries that are the closest allies of the United States of America,” His Excellency implied.
A question from the audience was also asked to His Excellency regarding the Arab League’s call for the deployment of UN peacekeepers in the Palestinian territories, with both Indonesia and Egypt being among its members. To address this question, His Excellency mentioned, “Any establishment of a UN Peacekeeping mission needs the approval of the UN. Moreover, we need a clear objective for the mission.” He also added, “Retno Marsudi was very clear that Indonesia would not send any troops unless the UN establishes a resolution requiring the deployment of troops.”
Egypt’s Strategy with Regards to the Suez Canal Issue to Ensure Domestic and International Economic Stability